[llninja]

As opposed to murdered out (blackening out every piece of chrome on a black vehicle) I've decided to start angeling out my volt. I just finished dipping my anthracite wheels with white and pearlizer. Used 5 cans of white and a partial can of pearl. Still deciding what to hit next... but with only 2 cans of white left, I need to hit the hardware store for more.

 

[Rickoshay]

Looks nice. Maybe do something with the black "stripe" under the windows. That has always been something that looked out of place to me. My 2014 is Ashen Gray Metallic so it blends in.
I want to do something with my stock wheels, (can't spring for new ones right now), and maybe darken the front grill.
Note: I like the style of wheels you have chosen.

2014 Volt Premium - Safety pkg 1 and 2, Navigation

 

[freshcut]

Agree. I never understood the purpose of the black at the top of the doors. The only thing that seems to make sense to me is that it makes the window section look larger. It's the same with the black roof/trunk on the '11-'12's. Much rather see body color.

 

[llninja]

Yup, I'll try to pearlize the under window black and chrome, front grill, hood cowl, and depending on close I can match the color, the lower rocker panels, rear valance, and front air dam. I;m on the fence on whether I want to attempt to dip or paint the voltscreen, or keep it black.

 

[Mister Dave]

Looks nice. Maybe do something with the black "stripe" under the windows. That has always been something that looked out of place to me.

Agree. I never understood the purpose of the black at the top of the doors.

It's there to mimic the clear part of the door below the windows on this:

On a gloss black car it looks like part of the door skin.

Still deciding what to hit next... but with only 2 cans of white left, I need to hit the hardware store for more.

The wheels look nice, but there's a tone mismatch. Not a big deal on wheels. Your pearl white car isn't really white. More of an antique white. If you're going to start in on the body you might want to hit a vinyl shop and see if they have a better match. Besides, if you start scraping your butt across the dip on the front edge of the rear door you're going to wear it off.

If you're going to dip the rockers, splitter and rear diffusor, make sure it's squeaky clean or the dip will bubble over time in spots. That plastic doesn't really like the dip solvent. It's made of some material that resists anything sticking to it.

Some day soon I'm going to peel the dip off my rockers and lay some vinyl on it, or have a pro do it.

 

[llninja]

The wheels look nice, but there's a tone mismatch. Not a big deal on wheels. Your pearl white car isn't really white. More of an antique white. If you're going to start in on the body you might want to hit a vinyl shop and see if they have a better match. Besides, if you start scraping your butt across the dip on the front edge of the rear door you're going to wear it off.

If you're going to dip the rockers, splitter and rear diffusor, make sure it's squeaky clean or the dip will bubble over time in spots. That plastic doesn't really like the dip solvent. It's made of some material that resists anything sticking to it.

Some day soon I'm going to peel the dip off my rockers and lay some vinyl on it, or have a pro do it.

Did you use pre-dip spray on your lower rockers before dipping them? I was actually able to get my rear bow tie to match pretty closely by putting on heavily coats of pearlizer. I was tempted to do the same with the wheels, but decided that having them pop was nicer. I can always add pearlizer if I really need to make the wheels match.

Most people only dip the fronts of their wheels, but since I have such a gaping hole, I dipped white around the wheel. I didn't worry about the inside rim as nobody sees that. Since the inner rim is thin, I'm not looking forward to cleaning that up is I Eddie to go back to the original paint.

Also, if you have bubbles, you can try using a dip fix kit. It's some chemical that re-wets the dip allowing you to smooth it out, then spray another few new layers on top. But if the surface wasn't super clean to begin with (if you armourall-ed it in the past, that also resists sticking) then I'd agree, peel it off and start over. Also after installation, you should avoid any and all water for like a week. I'm parking my volt if there is any rain in the forecast.

 

[TSquare]

Agree. I never understood the purpose of the black at the top of the doors. The only thing that seems to make sense to me is that it makes the window section look larger. It's the same with the black roof/trunk on the '11-'12's. Much rather see body color.

It is a hold over from the Concept Car. It had tinted glass below the windows and on the roof.

 

[Mister Dave]

Did you use pre-dip spray on your lower rockers before dipping them?

No. Performix isn't very clear on this, but most of the text says things like "Helps provide a better, stronger grip on metal" and only one place do they mention "many plastic surfaces".

I was actually able to get my rear bow tie to match pretty closely by putting on heavily coats of pearlizer. I was tempted to do the same with the wheels, but decided that having them pop was nicer. I can always add pearlizer if I really need to make the wheels match.

I would add more, especially if you're applying it in the body area. A lot more.

I'm not looking forward to cleaning that up is I Eddie to go back to the original paint.

If you're going to keep using that iJunk spell checker you really need to proof read. I have no idea what you were trying to say there.

Also, if you have bubbles, you can try using a dip fix kit.

Yeah I've seen that. It's just dip solvent. I've been able to repair it by cutting out the loose part and respraying. It's just a nuisance really and I'm more favorable to vinyl now anyway. Dip is better for the grille perhaps where there are too many contours.

 

[llninja]

If you're going to keep using that iJunk spell checker you really need to proof read. I have no idea what you were trying to say there.
.

"eddie" was supposed to be "decide". I'm addicted to my 12.9" iPad and am horrible at taking the time to proofread. I guess it's time to cash in some Apple gift cards (free thanks to Barclaycard) and get a real keyboard that attaches to the tablet as a front flap/cover. I have a separate Bluetooth keyboard, but it's one extra device to lug around.

 

[canehdian]

Agree. I never understood the purpose of the black at the top of the doors. The only thing that seems to make sense to me is that it makes the window section look larger.

That's exactly why mfr's do it. Makes the windows look bigger than they really are.
If you ever look at an SUV or hatch you'll see the window has a much larger tinted area outside than is actually visible inside. They want you to think "wow, what great visibility it must have".
Of course that only fools people in the showroom, once they actually test drive is another story
It's all about perception these days. Forget actually making the windows larger, let's just make them seem larger!

 

[llninja]

That's exactly why mfr's do it. Makes the windows look bigger than they really are.
If you ever look at an SUV or hatch you'll see the window has a much larger tinted area outside than is actually visible inside. They want you to think "wow, what great visibility it must have".
Of course that only fools people in the showroom, once they actually test drive is another story
It's all about perception these days. Forget actually making the windows larger, let's just make them seem larger!

On the flip side, the High beltline, low roofline, and huge A, B, & C pillars makes modern cars much safer than they used to be. I do worry whether the Teslas with glass roofs might become an issue , especially in a rollover. I think I'd prefer metal over glass for protection.

 

[indyflick]

On the flip side, the High beltline, low roofline, and huge A, B, & C pillars makes modern cars much safer than they used to be. I do worry whether the Teslas with glass roofs might become an issue , especially in a rollover. I think I'd prefer metal over glass for protection.

Structurally they are improved but I'm not certain they are safer. I say that because modern robust A pillars now create a rather large bind spot. High beltlines also introduce visibility issues that potentially impact safety. Given the extremely low center of gravity of EVs and PHEVs I would think the likelihood of a rollover is much lower thus negating the need for such large A pillars.

 

[llninja]

Structurally they are improved but I'm not certain they are safer. I say that because modern robust A pillars now create a rather large bind spot. High beltlines also introduce visibility issues that potentially impact safety. Given the extremely low center of gravity of EVs and PHEVs I would think the likelihood of a rollover is much lower thus negating the need for such large A pillars.

I don't feel like the High beltlines affect my vision as much as the thick pillars do. My biggest gripe about the High belt lines is that I can no longer drive with the windows open and rest my arm on the window sill as it is now too high and uncomfortable to use as an arm rest. But I t will help me in the long run as me chances of getting skin cancer on my left arm is now reduced ever so slightly.

I used to love driving with the windows down, but the wind buffeting, the lack of being able to stick my arm out, and the inability to clearly hear my music streaming has caused me to just hit the AC with the windows closed.

 

[Mister Dave]

Structurally they are improved but I'm not certain they are safer. I say that because modern robust A pillars now create a rather large bind spot. High beltlines also introduce visibility issues that potentially impact safety. Given the extremely low center of gravity of EVs and PHEVs I would think the likelihood of a rollover is much lower thus negating the need for such large A pillars.

Tell that to her:

 

[Rickoshay]

Tell that to her:

Wow! Obviously I know nothing of the details of this incident but I think to be standing there is a testament to the safety of the car in the photo.

2014 Volt Premium - Safety pkg 1 and 2, Navigation

 

[hellsop]

Tell that to her:

"Less prone" doesn't mean "impossible".

 

[llninja]

"Less prone" doesn't mean "impossible".

I hope and pray that none of us have to face an accident like this. This picture scares me enough to ditch the 22 year old Suburban and the 13 year old CTS for something with 10+ airbags and a super high beltline Ithought the CTS was the first vehicle I noticed with a really high beltline compared to cars from the same timeframe. At first it looked weird to me, then it grew on me to the point I bought one, when I bought the CTS, I was the only one around with one, now I see them everywhere.

 

[Mister Dave]

Wow! Obviously I know nothing of the details of this incident but I think to be standing there is a testament to the safety of the car in the photo.

On August 3rd, a drunk driver hit our Volt so hard it knocked the Volt off the road down a 15 foot embankment. Caroline in the Volt rolled several times down the embankment before hitting a tree.......

http://insideevs.com/video-owner-testimonial-shows-how-safe-chevy-volt-actually-is/

It's a car, not a Weeble.

 

[Rickoshay]

Really glad she survived what looks like an unsurvivable crash. And also glad I now drive a Volt. Thank you for sharing.

2014 Volt Premium - Safety pkg 1 and 2, Navigation

 

[Jester84]

I was thinking my normal response to white wheels...ENJOY THE BRAKEDUST....hahah but we hardly have a need for the brakes on our Volts so ...should be no problem at all!!!

That crash pic is intense!